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or does "brand name" play a part?

I have a Lexar 64Meg (hehe I know...small and old (kinda like lena)) that we backed up or Quicken data to (so I didn't lose that in the crash)


Has anyone ever had a thumb drive just stop? (that is w/o physically damaging it?) IOW, Wore it out?




Since my crash, I've been planning backup procedures....and nowadays, since thumb drives are now huge (up to 8GB)...figured it could easily serve that purpose.

I'm thinking 2GB would BU my pics and all my docs....anything bigger than that should be removed off the HD and stored on DVD anyway.

At work, I use MS "robocopy" (nice single local executable) and BU onto off-site servers via "schedule tasks"...I've written dozens of scripts for this purpose...figure why not do it at home.

I kick myself for not thinking of this sooner....but since I custom built my box at home and the retail IBM HD in there is probably 7+ years old and hasn't missed a lick (however I did put in a 5.25 cooler)...So I figured with a brand new SATA from Dell I'd be golden for WAY more longer than 2 years...oops.

(btw...Dell can suck eggs afaic...they sent me a refurbished HD...can you believe that? No more Dell's for me...can't even honor their warranty's with a simple OEM drive)


**part two of question

How do you backup your data at home? That is, what is your procedure?

Beats me. :dunno:

Oh, wait...you're not asking me! Bye! :wave:

I think, since they're all solid-state - and don't even use batteries - they're all pretty much the same. I can't remember all the technicalities about it, but it's basically the same thing as your RAM in your computer - only it's non-volatile.

Since it's solid-state (absolutely zero moving parts), there's nothing to wear out. The only thing I can compare it to would be RAM in a computer. That only dies when it's not properly cared for outside the protection of a computer case (static shock). I've got old "cockroach RAM" from a 286 that still worked the last time I did anything with it (about 4 years ago).

HDDs, on the other hand, have many tiny moving parts that can wear out. If your HDD lasts 5 years, I think you're doing good (I know your 300GB drive was a lot newer than 5 years, though - that's another issue).

I recommend to all my 'clientele' that they back up their data to CDs on a regular basis - at least every 30 days. Don't back up everything every time you back up. In fact, if you'd like, you can store your data in a structure where you know a certain folder needs to be backed up.

Photos/Movies: Store them in a monthly folder. The software that comes with my HP camera does this automagically. That way, you only need to burn one CD per month for images.

I like CDs, 'cuz they're easily accessible and, if stored properly, will last forever. They also don't take up much space.

Personally, I back up between my computers. I have them networked and share drives on each. If one fails, the data is still on the other drive. I'll be honest, though, I need to do something to avoid catastrophic data loss soon. My 100GB drive (my main storage vein) is over 5 years old. It's on borrowed time as far as I'm concerned.

Clay's Technology Prophecy

Lastly, I think HDDs will soon be replaced by flashdrive technology. It's RAM, like a HDD, it's quicker, and it's less likely to fail. It's more expensive, though. (Your 8GB flashdrive will run about as much as a 300GB HDD). Give it a few years, though, and the price will come down. You'll see flashdrives replacing hard drives.

DVD R-+/RW-+ burner and dvds.... that's how I backs up me data.....

ARGH.....

Oh wait.. sorry the pirate persona poked it's head out again....

But yes that's how I back up my data.....

ZZF has 4gb flash drives for 75 bucks...

Probably be gettin' one of those then backing up via robocopy on both flash and network drives.

Awesome price! I paid $75 for my 128MB flashdrive three years ago.

4GB for $75. I've seen instructions for installing Linux on a flashdrive and making it bootable. You could boot up any computer and even read an NTFS partition. I know there are hacks to get around encryption, even on an NTFS partition.

What's ZZF?

Zip Zoom Fly


Free shipping also....


Corsair Voyager

heh - I did that once with my fly. Hurt like heck!

I hadn't offically backed up much of anythin in a long time, everthin I need safe is, an I haven't been "toyin" wit anythin lately.... nasty letter from couple isp's... loooonngg story.. but N E ways. The most common back up I have right now are cloned drives, er near clones, I have a data server at the house which gits everthin on it, so it's the main cheese an then everthin on my an other puters are secondary to it. But I agree wit Clay I prefer CD's, though I have a dvd burner, jes hadn't ever fooled wit it. I'm honestly not a big fan of flash drives mysef... I mean they are ok, but I'm sorta sentimental I guess... I'm the guy that still luggs around a 12 pound lap top an think it's state of the art LOL I'd hate to jes slip sumthin in my pocket an no one know that "I" was the big man -- er more like lookin like a dork wit a dolly movin a junk puter... but that's jes me hehe

Your laptop is only 12 pounds????

Then again I got the extra big one with the num pad on the keyboard.......

I prefer DVDs because when I do break down and back up it's right before a format reinstall and I have about 20 gigs of stuff to save

Yeah Raspy--International Talk Like Pirate Day isn't until September 19th.....

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Hey quit derailing my thread....


I would NEVER do that to you.

I can't help it. All this computer talk is so cofusing.. But talking like a pitate, I totally get. I wish I had someone here who knew about computers and who could physically show me what I need to do. I need help with mine, too...

That's the funniest thing I've heard all day! :doh:

Start a thread wit your problem an we'll do our best to explain what it is you do ned to do

Which is my Daughter's Birthday....

But everyday is talk like a pirate day in my book....

Or is that everyday is download like a pirate day... I keep getting those two mixed up.......


But hey you know me easily distr......


Oooh Shiny!!!!!!!

heh heh - let's share HDDs...

I'll do that when I can afford to buy the upgrades etc that I need. Right now there is nothing I can do. My computer's running slow and I really think I need to clean it up adn get the crap off, but I don't know what is crap and what isn't....

I', abotu to file our taxes today...I'll have to talk to hub about putting a little toward the computer....